Tirupati
Discover Tirupati
Tirupati is the spiritual capital of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is most famous for its Sri Venkateswara Temple dedicated to Vishnu, also known as Balaji in Northern India and Govinda in Southern India. The temple is on top of Tirumala hills, while the town is in the foothills. The Tirumala hill has seven peaks ("Sapthagiri"), said to represent the seven hoods of Adisesha, the serpent under whose hood Vishnu resides in Vaikuntha. Tirupati is in the southern part of Andhra Pradesh, in the Eastern Ghats, a mountain range that runs along the southeastern India. The temple of Venkateswara is on the seventh peak Venkatachala. The nearby town called Tiruchanoor (also known as Alamelu-Mangapuram) is covered in this page too.
What to Experience in Tirupati
Taste of Tirupati...
Tirupati is a pilgrimage town. People on pilgrimage don't drink or eat meat (non-vegetarian food) including egg and fish. Consumption of liquor is prohibited in Tirumala. Smoking is not allowed in Tirumala. For drinking it is advisable to use bottled mineral water only as the water available here might be sour in taste. As mentioned in the later section, the laddu of Tirupati is considered to be "nearly" as famous as the deity himself. Private accommodation is available in Tirupati city with numerous hotels catering to the pilgrims. TTD provides for paid and free accommodation in Tirupati for pilgrims Paid: Sri Venkateswara Dharmasala (opp. Tirupati Railway Station), Sri Venkateswara Guest House (north of Railway Station), Sri Kodandarama Dharmasala (south of Railway Station), Srinivasam (near bus station) and TTD Alipiri Guest House (near foothills) offer non air-conditioned accommodation. Sri Padmavathi Guest House (on Chittor Road) offer air-conditioned accommodation. Free: Sri Govindaraja Dharmasala, Sri Kodanda Rama Dharmasala TTD has built cottages in Tirumala that can be rented by pilgrims. There are 3 categories of accommodation, based on location: TTD also provides free accommodation in Choultries. Pilgrims can contact Central Reception Office near Bus Stand for free accommodation. Reservation for AC accommodation and Non-AC accommodation above ₹100 per day can be made only at the Central Reception Office, Tirumala.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Tirupati into what it is today.
Venkateshwara is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills. This temple has acquired a special sanctity in the Hindu religion. The benefits that accrue by a pilgrimage to this holy town is mentioned in the Vedas and Puranas. Hindus all over the world believe that in Kali Yuga it's possible to attain mukti by worshiping Venkateshwara. Around 50,000 pilgrims visit the temple every day. The Pallava, Chola, Pandya, and Vijayanagara rulers were known to give funds and jewels as temple offerings. The nearest international airport is in Chennai (MAA). From Chennai airport to Tirupati: Use this route if you have little luggage and are comfortable walking for short distances (and want to try a cheaper, alternative route to Chennai Central). From Chennai airport, you can walk over to the local suburban railway station (Tirusulam, about 5 minutes away) and take a local train to Park Station (₹7, about 30 minutes). Chennai Central is a 5-10 minute walk from Park Station. From Chennai Central, there are frequent long-distance train services to Tirupati. Trains can also be boarded at nearby cities - Renigunta (10 km from Tirupati) and Gudur (100 km). Frequent bus service is available between Tirupati, Renigunta, and Gudur. National Highway NH 205 passes through Renigunta and hence is accessible from Chennai (3-4 hr), Bangalore (at least 5 hours), Hyderabad (10-12 hours) and other nearby cities. You can reach the main temple by walking. It is called Divya Darshan. Take a local bus to Alipiri....
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe nearest international airport is in Chennai (MAA). From Chennai airport to Tirupati: Use this route if you have little luggage and are comfortable walking for short distances (and want to try a cheaper, alternative route to Chennai Central). From Chennai airport, you can walk over to the local suburban railway station (Tirusulam, about 5 minutes away) and take a local train to Park Station (₹7, about 30 minutes). Chennai Central is a 5-10 minute walk from Park Station. From Chennai Central, there are frequent long-distance train services to Tirupati. Trains can also be boarded at nearby cities - Renigunta (10 km from Tirupati) and Gudur (100 km). Frequent bus service is available between Tirupati, Renigunta, and Gudur. National Highway NH 205 passes through Renigunta and hence is accessible from Chennai (3-4 hr), Bangalore (at least 5 hours), Hyderabad (10-12 hours) and other nearby cities. You can reach the main temple by walking. It is called Divya Darshan....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
You can reach the main temple by walking. It is called Divya Darshan. Take a local bus to Alipiri. You can start the walk from there. The walk way is open all day. It consists of 3550 steps. An average person takes 3-4 hours to reach the top. The last 100 to 200 steps are steep. After the walk you can take a bath at the free bathrooms. You have to deposit the luggage and enter the divya darshan queue. Before starting climbing steps to the seven hills you can deposit your luggage at Alipiri and take a token, so that the temple authorities will bring the luggage to the top of hills by the time you reach there at free of cost. along the steps way to hills shelter is provided to protect from sun light. further drinking water supply is provided throughout the way. In addition to this there is a zoo park on the way that will please the pilgrims. Those who came to hills by walk have another facility in Darsan also. There are two step ways to the top of the seven hills.
Where to Stay
Private accommodation is available in Tirupati city with numerous hotels catering to the pilgrims. TTD provides for paid and free accommodation in Tirupati for pilgrims Paid: Sri Venkateswara Dharmasala (opp. Tirupati Railway Station), Sri Venkateswara Guest House (north of Railway Station), Sri Kodandarama Dharmasala (south of Railway Station), Srinivasam (near bus station) and TTD Alipiri Guest House (near foothills) offer non air-conditioned accommodation. Sri Padmavathi Guest House (on Chittor Road) offer air-conditioned accommodation. Free: Sri Govindaraja Dharmasala, Sri Kodanda Rama Dharmasala TTD has built cottages in Tirumala that can be rented by pilgrims. There are 3 categories of accommodation, based on location: TTD also provides free accommodation in Choultries. Pilgrims can contact Central Reception Office near Bus Stand for free accommodation.
Money & Budget
The local markets often sell photos of the deity idol in frames of various sizes, statues, and other items considered sacred & symbolic of the deity. The Sapthagiri Magazine was started as a TTD bulletin in 1949. It is circulated all over the country as an illustrated, religious magazine. It is a monthly edition and available in five languages - Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and English. Tirupati is a pilgrimage town. People on pilgrimage don't drink or eat meat (non-vegetarian food) including egg and fish. Consumption of liquor is prohibited in Tirumala. Smoking is not allowed in Tirumala. For drinking it is advisable to use bottled mineral water only as the water available here might be sour in taste.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Tirupati
A beautiful hindu temple sits before a lush mountain.
A vibrant night view of a famous Indian temple with a glowing entrance, festive lights, and intricate carvings.
Aerial view of a hindu temple complex.
a waterfall in the middle of a lush green forest
A lit-up temple at nighttime.
a view of a city from the top of a hill
A statue is shown against a temple.
white concrete statue near green trees during daytime
Lord Venkateswara Tirumala Hills
Walkway Tirumala
A beautiful hindu temple sits before a lush mountain.
A vibrant night view of a famous Indian temple with a glowing entrance, festive lights, and intricate carvings.
Aerial view of a hindu temple complex.